Soil help please!

[SarzWix]

Decking boards are only £2.50 each at B&Q at the moment...

[Two_Sheds]

take out the first spades-depth and then fork over the subsoil, then replace the top section mixed in with compost/muck/soil improver.

I'm sure I said that already - is everyone ignoring me?

we saw very few worms ...once the soil has been broken up I might be able to introduce some into the garden.

They will find their own way, once conditions improve

my little tiller won't go down much further than a foot, at best.

Rotavating causes a hard pan ~ doing it by hand, with a fork, is much better (and more manly, lol)

[Snadger]

The compacted sand appears to be what paving flags have been set on?

The relatively small area hardly merits a rotavator but hand forking should help.

John Innes potting compost is basically just a mix of loam,sand and peat and a bit of fertiliser. If you add a bit of peat substitute or any organic matter really and mix it all together with a bit of fert, you should grow some decent stuff.
Even without the organic matter, with deep digging and amelioration you'll be able to grow good carrots!

[vikicats]

Rotavating causes a hard pan ~ doing it by hand, with a fork, is much better (and more manly, lol)

What is a hard pan in this sense please?

mrbadexample is not particularly manly! He says on account of his bad back, but I think that's just an excuse!

[Sanjo]

What is a hard pan in this sense please?

mrbadexample is not particularly manly! He says on account of his bad back, but I think that's just an excuse!

I think it means that the surface becomes flat and solid and therefore the water just runs off it without soaking in. I'm probably wrong though but I'm sure somebody will correct that for you.

[Two_Sheds]

What is a hard pan in this sense please?

I think it means that the surface becomes flat and solid

Nope, that's capping you're thinking of.

Hard pan is compaction of the soil below ground: Creating a 'Hard Pan'

bit more info here: Soils: A living legacy

[Sanjo]

Nope, that's capping you're thinking of.

Hard pan is compaction of the soil below ground: Creating a 'Hard Pan'

bit more info here: Soils: A living legacy

See, told you somebody would know. !!!Thanks Two Sheds.

[vikicats]

Thanks everyone.

Here is the plan at the moment - today I intend to fork over the area and add some organic matter. This will mostly be in the form of compost from a number of pots in the garden. I do intend to add more but just want to try and make a start today. I will let you know how I get on.

Vikicats

[mrbadexample]

I have to say I just don't get the hard pan bit.

I've got a little 2-stroke mantis. It's probably a bit unfair to even call it a rotavator - it's a tiller. I haven't got a tractor. How does using that compact the soil beneath it any more than me walking across it in my modest size 10s?

I'm not arguing with what's being said - I'm just saying that I don't understand it. I also don't get the drainage thing - as it hasn't previously been a problem in this area. The soil seems a bit clayey, but surely if all the hard lumps of sand were broken up and blended with the clay (plus the addition of organic matter) to a decent tilth this would improve things?

Please remember that I'm not a hugely experienced gardener, and only have experience of my own garden, which fortunately seems quite good on the soil front. Am I missing something here?

[vikicats]

Well I have dug over the bed today and added some compost although it definitely could do with some more. I would have been posting these pictures earlier but wasted an hour mending the fence that some idiot decided to put their foot through last night.

This is what it looks like now:


Now have a lovely collection of stones and rocks which I'm sure will only grow bigger in the weeks to come!

[Two_Sheds]

How does using that compact the soil beneath it any more than me walking across it in my modest size 10s?

They both can cause compaction over time: if you're only going to rotavate once or twice I wouldn't worry about it: just try to avoid walking on that soil after it's been turned.

More ideas about improving clay here: Building Healthy Soil, Organic Soil Amendments, Healthy Soil, Compost: Gardener's Supply

[mrbadexample]

They both can cause compaction over time: if you're only going to rotavate once or twice I wouldn't worry about it: just try to avoid walking on that soil after it's been turned.

More ideas about improving clay here: Building Healthy Soil, Organic Soil Amendments, Healthy Soil, Compost: Gardener's Supply

I was just going to give it a quick blitz - 15-30 minutes work tops, to try and break up the sand. However, I don't mind if I'm not allowed and Viki has to do it all herself with a fork, because I'm not very manly, apparently.

[vikicats]

However, I don't mind if I'm not allowed and Viki has to do it all herself with a fork, because I'm not very manly, apparently.

You were the one who said it - I just quoted you!!

All help is gratefully received - manly or not!

[Potstubsdustbins]

Vikki I am no expert as I grow in containers but would have to say you have made a vast improvement.

Just a thought to put in your head those natural boulders you have dug up are worth money, have you seen the price of them in places like B & Q?

Colin

[vikicats]

I am no expert as I grow in containers but would have to say you have made a vast improvement.

Thanks Colin. I normally grow in containers but I thought I'd give the ground a go for a change!
Plus my garden is full of black flower buckets which aren't particularly pleasing to the eye, but are incredibly useful.